Dive Brief:
- The Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA) has asked state regulators to delay a decision on American Electric Power's proposed power purchase agreements, urging the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to hold off until federal officials have weighed in, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
- AEP has proposed power purchase agreements that would guarantee income for some of its struggling coal-fired units.The utility has specifically entreated the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to stay out of the proceeding, as opponents of the plan have called for tighter review.
- The Columbus Dispatch reported that AEP officials said a decision on the case is expected in a few weeks and characterized OMA's filing as a procedural tactic to delay a decision.
Dive Insight:
Ohio regulators are nearing a decision on AEP's controversial power proposals, and the utility said that is leading opponents to attempt procedural delays. But manufacturers in the state say FERC's input is needed to avoid harm to customers.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, OMA asked PUCO to delay a decision until FERC had weighed in, “to prevent injury to the interests of the public and avoid irreparable harm to customers" in a filing made this week.
AEP last month pressed the federal commission to remain on the sidelines of a controversial proceeding, arguing that the agency does not have authority to intervene and that Ohio regulators are already delving deep into the issues. The company is pushing eight-year power purchase agreements covering 2,671 MW from nine AEP generating units, as well as the utility's 423 MW contractual share of Ohio Valley Electric Corp. generation.
A similar proposal has been filed by FirstEnergy, for its own generation.
